Men, Women Oppose Proposed Mandatory Ultrasound Bill In New Q-Poll.

Public Opposition ... ... to a proposal that would require women to undergo a mandatory ultrasounds before they can have an abortion cuts across gender lines, according to this morning's new Quinnipiac University poll.

Forty-eight percent of respondents in the telephone poll of 1,256 registered voters say they disapprove of the bill sponsored by Rep. Kathy Rapp, R-Warren. Opposition runs highest among men, with a majority (51 percent) against the bill. Women split at 45 percent on their approval and disapproval of the bill.

Voters with a college degree are more likely to oppose, at 57 percent, while voters without a degree are split, 45-44 percent over the proposal.

There's strong voter opposition to forcing women to undergo invasive transvaginal procedures instead of the standard abdominal examination, with 64 percent of all voters opposed. Men oppose it 67-28 percent, while women oppose it 61-28 percent.

Meanwhile, a clear majority of voters, 54 percent, say abortion should be legal in all or most cases, while 37 percent say it should be illegal in all or most cases.

“Voters, men and women, are strongly opposed – almost 3-1 – to requiring women to undergo trans-vaginal ultrasounds," he noted.

Earlier this week, Gov. Tom Corbett signaled his support for the proposal, as long as the examination was "external, not internal."

Rapp's bill is on hold in the House while majority Republicans try to address opposition from the Pennsyvlania Medical Society. The influential lobby opposes the bill because it would tell doctors how to treat their patients.